First Data partners Real, a part of retail group Metro AG

First Data, a known company in electronic commerce and payment services and owner of POLCARD, announced today that it has signed a merchant services agreement with Real, a leading Polish hypermarket chain and part of the German retail group Metro AG. Under the terms of the agreement, First Data will provide installation, maintenance and processing services for approximately four thousand point-of-sale (POS) terminals at 54 Real hypermarkets across Poland.

First Data will also upgrade Real's POS network to accept chip-based cards and align with current EMV standards, enabling Real and its customers to benefit from greater levels of transaction security. The terminals also feature a cash-back capability allowing customers to withdraw cash when paying for purchases using their payment card. Cash-back services give customers quick and secure access to cash and are particularly valued in locations with few local ATMs.

"The security of our customers' card transactions is Real's top priority and extending our cooperation with First Data supports this strategy," said Jaros?aw Chojczak, chief financial officer of Real in Poland. "Additionally, we look forward to offering greater convenience to our customers through the introduction of innovative services such as cash back."

"Real is a large and widely-known retailer and we are delighted that they have selected First Data to install and service their extensive network of card acceptance devices," said Janusz Diemko, managing director of First Data in Poland. "Our relationship is off to a strong start. In fact, since signing the agreement, the number of terminals in Real hypermarkets has already increased by more than 1,300 devices in 31 stores, which is a testament to First Data's ability to provide value to Real's business."

First Data currently provides processing services for more than 70,000 terminals and card acceptance devices throughout Poland.